and they were roommates (Birlap fanfic)

I Love You

Once we got back home from the convention, we easily slipped back into our usual routines. I appreciate the fact that we already live together so much more. We get to spend so much time together, but we also have our own spaces when we need it. 

Tonight, Arny is taking me on a date. He wants it to be a surprise so he hasn't told me where he is taking me. All I know is that I need to dress in clothing that I wouldn't mind getting dirty. The best I've thought up is painting or mud wrestling. I can't think of what else it could be. 

I decide to go with a pair of jeans that already have paint splattered on them and one of Arny's t-shirts, that I definitely stole from him. To keep my hair out of the way, I pull it up into a ponytail. I finish getting ready in the bathroom, putting on some light makeup. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Arny lean against the doorframe. "You almost ready, love?" 

I smile and give a small nod. He has been using that pet name exclusively ever since we've come home. I try not to read into it too much, but my heart melts whenever he calls me it. 

I finish the look off with a bit of lip gloss and turn to face him. He pulls me in with his hands on my waist. His gaze moves around my face as if he is trying to take in every detail and memorize them. He presses a gentle kiss to my forehead. "You are the most beautiful person I have ever seen." 

I blush at the compliment. He pulls away reluctantly and joins our hands, as if he always needs a part of us to be touching. I don't mind it, I think it's sweet. 

Arny opens my car door for me and I get in. As soon as we are off, I ask "So do I get to know where we are going now?" 

He throws me a grin. "Patience. I know you'll love it." There he goes again throwing that word around. 

"I'll love anything as long as I'm with you." My almost admission catches me by surprise. I turn away and stare out the window before I can see his reaction. 

My brain seems intent on slipping those words out. I know it's silly, but I want him to say it first. 

I'm so lost in thought that it takes me a moment to realize the car is stopped. I turn to Arny, who is already staring at me. "Are you okay, love?" 

"Yeah, I was just thinking." I give his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Are we here?" 

"Yup." We get out of the car and walk hand in hand, swinging our arms like one of those cheesy couple. My smile is so big, my cheeks are starting to hurt. It only grows when we walk into a pottery studio. 

A middle aged woman approaches us. "Hi, I'm Mary. You guys must be here for the private couple's pottery class." 

Surprise shocks through me. "Private couple's pottery class?" 

His smile is blinding. "Yup, that's us. I'm Arny and this is my lovely girlfriend, (y/n)." 

She sets us up at one of the wheels and gives us a block of clay. She gives an overview on how it all works, but ultimately leaves us the freedom to do whatever. The studio is small and intimate, the mood set with romantic French music. 

I sit down at the stool and Arny takes the one next to me. 

"So, what do you want to make?" I ask. 

"We are going to make a vase." He says, decidedly. 

"Any reason in particular? You sound so sure." 

"It's going to be for all the flowers I'm going to buy you" He smiles sheepishly and my heart expands, overflowing with emotion. 

"I.. I.. I'm going to make the best vase known to mankind." I say, stumbling over my words. 

Arny chuckles while I pick up the block of clay and plop it onto the pottery wheel. Wetting my hands, I press down on the petal using my foot and try to form a coherent shape. I'm worse at this than I thought. 

I groan in frustration. "You can help you know." 

"Oh I know. I just like watching you too much and you seem to be doing a mighty fine job." 

"Better than helping out, what was it you called me? Your 'lovely girlfriend'?" I tease. 

Arny moves right behind me, his chest pressing into my back, his warmth seeping through my clothing. 

"Well then," he whispers, breathe fanning my ear "let me help you out, my lovely girlfriend." 

He clasps his hands in mine and nuzzles his chin over my shoulder. I melt into his touch, letting him control my arms. 

I giggle against him when I realize. "This is so cheesy, it's just like the movie. I love it." I say with a sigh. 

"I love it too." Punctuating it with a kiss to my cheek. I turn my head and capture his lips in mine, the clay forgotten. Without thinking, I put my hand against his jaw. I pull back and laugh at the streak of slip I left behind. 

Not seeming to care about the mess, Arny wraps a hand around my neck to pull me back in, smearing the clay water all over my skin. He kisses me softly, pouring passion into each pull of our lips. 

"How's everything going?" Mary asks, startling me so bad I almost knock us off the stool. 

Arny clears his throat. "Everything's great, we are attempting to make a vase." Nodding towards the somewhat bowl shaped lump of clay in front of us. "We just got a little distracted." 

Mary gives us a knowing look. "Let me know if you need any help." As soon as she is gone again, Arny drops his head and chuckles, shaking me with his laughter. I throw my elbow back. "Stop laughing at me." 

"You're just too adorable." He places a chaste kiss against my neck and redirects his attention back to the wheel. 

15 minutes later, our vase is finished and we carve our initials into the base. When we leave the studio, it's dark out. I stare up at the clear sky and the shining stars. I get distracted by the sight, but realize we passed the car. 

"Where are we going? The car is back that way." 

Arny flashes me a flirtatious grin. "Who says we are going back to the car?" 

He leads me down a path that leads to a gazebo lit with fairy lights. I gasp at the sight. "Oh my gosh. It's so pretty," I murmur. 

"You are absolutely right," he says, but when I look at him, he's looking at me like I hung the moon. As if I am the only one he sees, the only one who can make him feel this happy. I know because I feel the same way. 

Arny leads me to the center of the platform and pulls me against him, one hand intertwining in mine and the other resting on my hip. I place my free hand on his shoulder and we sway to the sounds of the night. 

We don't talk, we just look into each other's eyes, as if they hold the secrets of the universe. My heart is bursting with joy at this special moment between us. 

Just when I think it can't get any better, he says the three words I've been dying to hear. "I love you." 

I can't help the obnoxiously wide smile that spreads my face. "I love you too."